Moving body equipped with fuel cell

ABSTRACT

A fuel cell vehicle includes a fuel cell, a radiator, a radiator fan, and a mounting frame. The mounting frame has an opposed member located on an axially extension of a rotating shaft of the radiator fan. When a compression load acting on the rotating shaft reaches a preset load, the rotating shaft of the radiator fan is compressed in an axial center direction along an axial center.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a moving body equipped with a fuelcell.

BACKGROUND ART

A known example of the moving body equipped with a fuel cell is a fuelcell vehicle that is an automobile driven by electric power generated bythe fuel cell. The fuel cell vehicle further has a power circuitconfigured to generate an intended power from the electric powergenerated by the fuel cell (for example, a power control unit or PCU ora DC-DC converter), in addition to the fuel cell. In order to prevent anexcess temperature rise of the fuel cell and the power circuit, the fuelcell and the power circuit are generally cooled down by a coolingmedium, such as cooling water. The fuel cell vehicle utilizing thecooling medium has a radiator configured to release heat from thecooling medium and a radiator fan configured to blow the air to theradiator. The radiator fan includes fins configured to rotate andthereby produce the airflow and a rotating shaft configured to transmita rotational force to the fins.

Various structures have been proposed to protect the fuel cell and thepower circuit in the event of a collision of the fuel cell vehicle(patent literatures 1 and 2).

CITATION LIST Patent Literature

-   PTL 1: JP2004-175301-   PTL 2: JP2008-100585

The rotating shaft of the radiator fan is required to have therelatively high rigidity. It is possible that the rotating shaft has arelatively strong impact on other parts located behind the rotatingshaft in the event of a collision of the fuel cell vehicle. There havebeen, however, no sufficient studies or examinations on the potentialeffects of the rotating shaft of the radiator fan upon the fuel cell andthe power circuit in the event of a collision of the fuel cell vehicle.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

By taking into account at least part of the issue discussed above, thereis a requirement for providing a technique of protecting a fuel cell anda power circuit in the event of a collision of a fuel cell vehicle.

In order to address at least part of the requirement described above,the present invention provides various embodiments and applicationsdescribed below.

A first aspect of the invention is directed to a moving body including:a fuel cell unit having at least one of a fuel cell configured togenerate electric power through electrochemical reaction and a powercircuit configured to generate an intended power from the electric powergenerated by the fuel cell; a radiator configured to release heat from acooling medium used for cooling down the fuel cell unit; a radiator fanhaving a fin configured to rotate and thereby produce airflow and arotating shaft configured to transmit a rotational force to the fin, theradiator fan being provided to blow the air to the radiator; and amounting structure configured to mount the fuel cell unit on an axiallyextension of the rotating shaft of the radiator fan. The mountingstructure includes an opposed member that has an opposing face to an endof the rotating shaft and is located on the axially extension of therotating shaft between the fuel cell unit mounted on the mountingstructure and the radiator fan. The rotating shaft of the radiator fanis compressed in an axial center direction of the rotating shaft when acompression load acting in the axial center direction reaches a presetload, which is smaller than a specific load of deforming the mountingstructure to such a degree that brings the opposed member into contactwith the fuel cell unit mounted on the mounting structure.

In the moving body of this aspect, in the event that the radiator fan ismoved toward the fuel cell unit by some impact, the rotating shaft ofthe radiator fan is received by the opposed member of the mountingstructure and is then compressed when the compression load acting in theaxial center direction reaches the preset load. Such compressioneffectively relieves or prevents a potential shock that may betransmitted to the fuel cell or the power circuit included in the fuelcell unit mounted on the mounting structure. This structure protects thefuel cell and the power circuit in the case of a collision of the movingbody, for example, a fuel cell vehicle.

In one preferable embodiment of the moving body of the above aspect, therotating shaft of the radiator fan includes a hollow first shaft memberand a second shaft member configured to engage coaxially with the firstshaft member. The second shaft member of the rotating shaft is insertedinto the first shaft member when the compression load reaches the presetload. The moving body of this embodiment readily provides the rotatingshaft that is compressed in the axial center direction when thecompression load reaches the preset load, while having the rigidity tosufficiently transmit the rotational force to the fin.

In another preferable embodiment of the moving body of the above aspect,the rotating shaft of the radiator fan includes a grooved section havinga plurality of grooves formed along the axial center on a surface of therotating shaft. The grooved section of the rotating shaft splits offalong the plurality of grooves and buckles, when the compression loadreaches the preset load. The moving body of this embodiment readilyprovides the rotating shaft that is compressed in the axial centerdirection when the compression load reaches the preset load, whilehaving the rigidity to sufficiently transmit the rotational force to thefin.

In still another preferable embodiment of the moving body of the aboveaspect, the opposed member of the mounting structure is recessed in adirection away from the rotating shaft. In the event that the radiatorfan is moved toward the fuel cell unit by some impact, the moving bodyof this embodiment effectively prevents the rotating shaft from beingdeflected from the opposed member.

In another preferable embodiment of the moving body of the above aspect,the mounting structure includes a reinforcement member that is extendedfrom the opposed member along the axial center in a direction away fromthe rotating shaft beyond the fuel cell unit mounted on the mountingstructure. In the moving body of this embodiment, the other end of thereinforcement member that is different from one end with the opposedmember is supported by another structural member. This structure furtherrelieves or prevents a potential shock that may be transmitted to thefuel cell or the power circuit included in the fuel cell unit mounted onthe mounting structure.

A second aspect of the invention is directed to a moving body including:a fuel cell unit having at least one of a fuel cell configured togenerate electric power through electrochemical reaction and a powercircuit configured to generate an intended power from the electric powergenerated by the fuel cell; a radiator configured to release heat from acooling medium used for cooling down the fuel cell unit; a radiator fanhaving a fin configured to rotate and thereby produce airflow and arotating shaft configured to transmit a rotational force to the fin, theradiator fan being provided to blow the air to the radiator; and amounting structure configured to mount the fuel cell unit on an axiallyextension of the rotating shaft of the radiator fan. The mountingstructure includes an opposed member that has an opposing face to an endof the rotating shaft and is located on the axially extension of therotating shaft between the fuel cell unit mounted on the mountingstructure and the radiator fan. The rotating shaft of the radiator fanis released in a direction away from the fuel cell unit by a presetload, which is smaller than a specific load of deforming the mountingstructure to such a degree that brings the opposed member into contactwith the fuel cell unit mounted on the mounting structure. In the movingbody of this aspect, in the event that the radiator fan is moved towardthe fuel cell unit by some impact, the rotating shaft of the radiatorfan is received by the opposed member of the mounting structure and isthen released in the direction away from the fuel cell unit. The overallradiator fan is accordingly released from the fuel cell unit. Suchrelease effectively relieves or prevents a potential shock that may betransmitted to the fuel cell or the power circuit included in the fuelcell unit mounted on the mounting structure. This structure protects thefuel cell and the power circuit in the case of a collision of the movingbody, for example, a fuel cell vehicle.

The technique of the present invention is not restricted to the movingbody having any of the configurations and arrangements discussed abovebut may be actualized by diversity of other applications, for example, afuel cell vehicle equipped with a fuel cell and a mounting structureconfigured to mount a fuel cell. The invention is not restricted to anyof the configurations and arrangements discussed above but may beactualized by any of various embodiments without departing from thescope of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram of the configuration of a fuel cellvehicle;

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of various components located in anengine room of the fuel cell vehicle;

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of various components located in theengine room of the fuel cell vehicle;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a mounting frame;

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram of the detailed structure of an opposedmember of the mounting frame;

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram of the detailed structure of a radiatorfan;

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram of the detailed structure of a rotatingshaft of the radiator fan;

FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram of the detailed structure of therotating shaft of the radiator fan in a second embodiment;

FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram of the detailed structure of theradiator fan in a third embodiment;

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the mounting frame in a fourthembodiment; and

FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram of the detailed structure of theopposed member of the mounting frame in a fifth embodiment.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

In order to further clarify the aspects and the effects of the inventiondiscussed above, some embodiments of the moving body according to theinvention are discussed below.

A. First Embodiment

FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram of the configuration of a fuel cellvehicle 10. The fuel cell vehicle 10 is an automobile driven by electricpower generated by a fuel cell 110 as one example of a moving bodyequipped with the fuel cell 110. FIG. 1 shows a side view of a frontpart of the fuel cell vehicle 10, where the “front” means a fore end inthe direction of forward motion.

The fuel cell vehicle 10 has side members 20, a suspension member 30,and a dashboard panel 50 as structural members for ensuring the rigidityof the vehicle body. The side members 20 of the fuel cell vehicle 10 arereinforcing members located to be extended along the longitudinaldirection of the fuel cell vehicle 10. The suspension member 30 of thefuel cell vehicle 10 is attached to the side members 20 to reinforcesuspensions (not shown) for suspending respective wheels 80. Thedashboard panel 50 of the fuel cell vehicle 10 is a plate member partingan engine room 12 from a passenger compartment 14. The engine room 12 ofthe fuel cell vehicle 10 has space for various components including thefuel cell 110, whereas the passenger compartment 14 of the fuel cellvehicle 10 has seats 60 to accommodate a driver and passengers.

FIGS. 2 and 3 are explanatory diagrams of the various components locatedin the engine room 12 of the fuel cell vehicle 10. FIG. 2 is a top viewof the engine room 12 seen from the top side of the fuel cell vehicle 10(i.e., in the direction of an arrow F2 shown FIGS. 1 and 3). FIG. 3 is afront view of the engine room 12 seen from the front side of the fuelcell vehicle 10 (i.e., in the direction of an arrow F3 shown in FIGS. 1and 2). The side view of FIG. 1 is taken on a line of the arrow F1 shownin FIGS. 2 and 3. For the easier understanding, the fuel cell 110 ishatched in FIGS. 1 through 3. Referring to FIGS. 1 through 3, the fuelcell vehicle 10 has a power circuit 120, a radiator 200, and a radiatorfan 310, in addition to the fuel cell 110, as the various componentslocated in the engine room 12.

The fuel cell 110 of the fuel cell vehicle 10 is a fuel cell unitprovided by assembling and unitizing a plurality of power generationcells or unit elements for generating electric power throughelectrochemical reaction. In this embodiment, the fuel cell 110 is apolymer electrolyte fuel cell and generates electric power throughelectrochemical reaction of a hydrogen-containing fuel gas with anoxygen-containing oxidizing gas. The fuel gas supplied to the fuel cell110 is hydrogen gas stored in a hydrogen reservoir or a hydrogenabsorbing alloy in this embodiment, but may alternatively be hydrogengas produced by reforming a hydrocarbon fuel. The oxidizing gas suppliedto the fuel cell 110 is the air from the atmosphere in this embodiment.

The power circuit 120 of the fuel cell vehicle 10 is another fuel cellunit provided by unitizing electric circuits for generating an intendedpower from the electric power generated by the fuel cell 110. In thisembodiment, the power circuit 120 is provided as the fuel cell unitincluding a power control unit (PCU) for controlling the output ofelectric power from the fuel cell 110. In other applications, the powercircuit 120 may be provided as a fuel cell unit including a DC-DCconverter for converting DC voltages output from the fuel cell 110 ormay be provided as a fuel cell unit including both the power controlunit (PCU) and the DC-DC converter. Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, thepower circuit 120 is mounted on a drive motor 500 used to generate thedriving power for driving the wheels 80. In this embodiment, the fuelcell 110 is located on a right side of the fuel cell vehicle 10 in thedirection of forward motion, whereas the power circuit 120 and the drivemotor 500 are located on a left side of the fuel cell vehicle 10 in thedirection of forward motion, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. In otherapplications, this left-to-right positional relation may be inverted.

The radiator 200 of the fuel cell vehicle 10 releases heat from coolingwater, which is employed as a cooling medium for cooling down the fuelcell 110, to the atmosphere. The radiator 200 performs heat exchange ofthe cooling water used for cooling down the fuel cell 110 in thisembodiment, but may alternatively perform heat exchange of cooling waterused for cooling down the power circuit 120. In this embodiment, thecooling water is employed as the cooling medium for cooling down thefuel cell 110. In other applications, cooling oil or cooling gas may beemployed for the same purpose.

The radiator fan 310 of the fuel cell vehicle 10 blows the air toenhance the radiation efficiency of the radiator 200 for heat releasefrom the cooling water. The radiator fan 310 includes fins 312, a motor314, and a rotating shaft 320. The motor 314 of the radiator fan 310generates torque. The rotating shaft 320 of the radiator fan 310transmits the torque generated by the motor 314 to the fins 312. Thefins 312 of the radiator fan 310 are blades utilizing the torquetransmitted by the rotating shaft 320 to rotate and thereby produce theairflow. The detailed structure of the radiator fan 310 will bedescribed later.

In this embodiment, the radiator 200 is sufficiently larger in size thanthe radiator fan 310. The fuel cell vehicle 10 accordingly has anadditional radiator fan 310 b, along with the radiator fan 310. Theradiator fan 310 b has the same structure as that of the radiator fan310. In this embodiment, the radiator fan 310 is located on the rightside of the fuel cell vehicle 10 in the direction of forward motion,whereas the radiator fan 310 b is located on the left side of the fuelcell vehicle 10 in the direction of forward motion, as shown in FIGS. 2and 3.

The fuel cell vehicle 10 has a mounting frame 400 provided as astructure for mounting the fuel cell 110. As shown in FIGS. 1 through 3,the mounting frame 400 mounts the fuel cell 110 on an axially extensionof the rotating shaft 320 of the radiator fan 310, i.e., on an axialcenter Ae of the rotating shaft 320.

In this embodiment, the mounting frame 400 is attached to the sidemember 20 via the suspension member 30 as shown in FIG. 1. In otherapplications, the mounting frame 400 may be attached directly to theside member 20 or may be attached to another structural member of thefuel cell vehicle 10. In this embodiment, an air compressor 600 and acooling water pump 700 are provided below the mounting frame 400 tosupply the oxidizing gas to the fuel cell 110 and to circulate thecooling water after the heat removal by the radiator 200 to the fuelcell 100, respectively.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the mounting frame 400. The illustrationof the mounting frame 400 with the fuel cell 110 mounted thereon, alongwith the rotating shaft 320 of the radiator fan 310 in FIG. 4 revealsthe positional relation of the respective components, i.e., the fuelcell 110, the rotating shaft 320, and the mounting frame 400. Themounting frame 400 includes a frame body 410, an opposed member 430, andauxiliary members 442 and 444. The frame body 410 of the mounting frame400 is a framework surrounding the fuel cell 110 and is specifically ahexahedral framework in this embodiment. The fuel cell 110 is locatedinside the frame body 410. The opposed member 430 of the mounting frame400 is provided on an axially extension of the rotating shaft 320between the fuel cell 110 mounted on the mounting frame 400 and theradiator fan 310 located in the vicinity of the mounting frame 400. Theopposed member 430 has an opposing face 431 to an end 321 of therotating shaft 320. In this embodiment, the auxiliary members 442 and444 of the mounting frame 400 are bracing members provided on the framebody 410 to intersect each other. The opposed member 430 is provided atthe intersection of the auxiliary members 442 and 444.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram of the detailed structure of theopposed member 430 of the mounting frame 400. The left-side drawing ofFIG. 5 is a front view of the opposed member 430 seen from the side ofthe rotating shaft 320, and the right-side drawing of FIG. 5 is asectional view of the opposed member 430 taken on a line of an arrow F5in the front view. The opposed member 430 is a disc-shaped member inthis embodiment as shown in FIG. 5, but may be a polygonal plate memberor a columnar member as part of the frame body 410. The opposed member430 is recessed in a direction away from the rotating shaft 320. In thisembodiment, the opposing face 431 of the opposed member 430 is formed asa step recessed from an outer periphery 434.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram of the detailed structure of theradiator fan 310. The sectional view of FIG. 6 schematically shows theradiator fan 310 taken along the axial center Ae of the rotating shaft320. The motor 314 of the radiator fan 310 is coupled with the rotatingshaft 320 and is located in a fan casing 315. The rotating shaft 320coupled with the motor 314 is held on the fan casing 315 in a rotatablemanner via bearings 318 and 319. Both ends 321 and 322 of the rotatingshaft 320 are protruded outside the fan casing 315. One end 321 facesthe opposed member 430 of the mounting frame 400, whereas the other end322 is connected with the fins 312.

The rotating shaft 320 of the radiator fan 310 has sufficient rigidityto ensure the durability for continuously supporting the fins 312 whiletransmitting the rotational force to the fins 312. The rotating shaft320 is a metal shaft in this embodiment but may be a ceramic shaft or aresin shaft in other applications. In this embodiment, the rotatingshaft 320 is structured to be quickly compressed in the axial centerdirection when a compression load Lc acting in the axial centerdirection along the axial center Ae reaches a preset load Ls. The presetload Ls causes quick compression of the rotating shaft 320 and issmaller than a specific load of deforming the mounting frame 400 to sucha degree that brings the opposed member 430 into contact with the fuelcell 110 mounted on the mounting frame 400.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram of the detailed structure of therotating shaft 320 of the radiator fan 310. The top drawing of FIG. 7shows the rotating shaft 320 prior to the compression. The middledrawing of FIG. 7 shows the rotating shaft 320 in the state that thecompression load Lc reaches the preset load Ls. The bottom drawing ofFIG. 7 shows the rotating shaft 320 after the compression.

The rotating shaft 320 of the radiator fan 310 includes a first shaftmember 330, a second shaft member 340, and a locking member 350. Thefirst shaft member 330 of the rotating shaft 320 is a cylindrical memberhaving one end closed and the other end open to receive the second shaftmember 340 therein. The closed end of the first shaft member 330 servesas one end 321 of the rotating shaft 320. An engagement hole 335 isformed in the side face of the first shaft member 330 at a position nearto the open end of the first shaft member 330 to enable engagement withthe locking member 350. The second shaft member 340 of the rotatingshaft 320 is a cylindrical member having one end closed and the otherend open and a smaller inner diameter than the inner diameter of thefirst shaft member 330 to allow for insertion into the first shaftmember 330. The closed end of the second shaft member 340 serves as theother end 322 of the rotating shaft 320. An engagement hole 345 isformed in the side face of the second shaft member 340 at a positionnear to the open end of the second shaft member 340 to enable engagementwith the locking member 350. The locking member 350 of the rotatingshaft 320 has an engagement projection 358 to be fit in both theengagement hole 335 of the first shaft member 330 and the engagementhole 345 of the second shaft member 340. The engagement projection 358is pressed outward in a radial direction of the rotating shaft 320.

Referring to the top drawing of FIG. 7 showing the rotating shaft 320prior to the compression, the engagement projection 358 of the lockingmember 350 is fit in the overlapped engagement holes 335 and 345 of thefirst shaft member 330 and the second shaft member 340. This causes thefirst shaft member 330 to coaxially engage with the second shaft member340. The rotating shaft 320 accordingly has the sufficient rigidity toensure the durability for continuously supporting the fins 312 whiletransmitting the rotational force to the fins 312.

Referring to the middle drawing of FIG. 7 where the compression load Lcacting on the axial center Ae of the rotating shaft 320 reaches thepreset load Ls, the engagement projection 358 of the locking member 350is pressed inward in the radial direction of the rotating shaft 320, sothat the engagement projection 358 of the locking member 350 is releasedfrom the engagement hole 335 of the first shaft member 330. The secondshaft member 340 is then quickly inserted into the first shaft member330 as shown in the bottom drawing of FIG. 7. The overall axial lengthof the rotating shaft 320 rapidly reduces from a length L1 to a lengthL2 according to the inserted length of the second shaft member 340 intothe first shaft member 330.

In the fuel cell vehicle 10 of the first embodiment described above, inthe event that the radiator fan 310 is moved toward the fuel cell 110 bysome impact, the rotating shaft 320 of the radiator fan 310 is receivedby the opposed member 430 of the mounting frame 400 and is then rapidlycompressed when the compression load Lc acting in the axial centerdirection along the axial center Ae reaches the preset load Ls. Suchcompression effectively relieves or prevents a potential shock that maybe transmitted to the fuel cell 110 mounted on the mounting frame 400.This structure protects the fuel cell 110 in the case of a collision ofthe fuel cell vehicle 10.

The rotating shaft 320 of the radiator fan 310 includes the first shaftmember 330 and the second shaft member 340. This structure readilyprovides the rotating shaft 320 that is quickly compressed in the axialcenter direction along the axial center Ae when the compression load Lcreaches the preset load Ls, while having the rigidity to sufficientlytransmit the rotational force to the fins 312.

The opposed member 430 of the mounting frame 400 is recessed in thedirection away from the rotating shaft 320 of the radiator fan 310. Inthe event that the radiator fan 310 is moved toward the fuel cell 110 bysome impact, this structure prevents the rotating shaft 320 from beingdeflected from the opposed member 430.

B. Second Embodiment

A fuel cell vehicle 10 of a second embodiment is similar to the fuelcell vehicle 10 of the first embodiment, except the structure of therotating shaft 320 of the radiator fan 310.

FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram of the detailed structure of therotating shaft 320 of the radiator fan 310 in the second embodiment. Thetop drawing of FIG. 8 shows the rotating shaft 320 prior to thecompression. The middle drawing of FIG. 8 shows the rotating shaft 320in the state that the compression load Lc reaches the preset load Ls.The bottom drawing of FIG. 8 shows the rotating shaft 320 after thecompression.

In the second embodiment, the rotating shaft 320 of the radiator fan 310is a hollow cylindrical member including a grooved section 370 having aplurality of grooves 375 formed on the surface along the axial centerAe. Referring to the top drawing of FIG. 8 showing the rotating shaft320 prior to the compression, the grooved section 370 maintains thecylindrical shape. The rotating shaft 320 accordingly has the sufficientrigidity to ensure the durability for continuously supporting the fins312 while transmitting the rotational force to the fins 312.

Referring to the middle drawing of FIG. 8 where the compression load Lcacting on the axial center Ae of the rotating shaft 320 reaches thepreset load Ls, the grooved section 370 of the rotating shaft 320 splitsoff along the plurality of grooves 375. The grooved section 370 thenrapidly buckles as shown in the bottom drawing of FIG. 8. The overallaxial length of the rotating shaft 320 rapidly reduces from a length L3to a length L4 according to the reduced length of the grooved section370 by buckling.

Like the first embodiment, the fuel cell vehicle 10 of the secondembodiment described above effectively relieves or prevents a potentialshock that may be transmitted to the fuel cell 110 mounted on themounting frame 400. The grooved section 370 formed in the rotating shaft320 of the radiator fan 310 readily provides the rotating shaft 320 thatis quickly compressed in the axial center direction along the axialcenter Ae when the compression load Lc reaches the preset load Ls, whilehaving the rigidity to sufficiently transmit the rotational force to thefins 312.

C. Third Embodiment

A fuel cell vehicle 10 of a third embodiment is similar to the fuel cellvehicle 10 of the first embodiment, except the structure of the radiatorfan 310. The radiator fan 310 of the third embodiment is similar to theradiator fan 310 of the first embodiment, except the structure ofreleasing the rotating shaft 320 in a direction away from the fuel cell110 by a preset load Ls, which is smaller than a specific load ofdeforming the mounting frame 400 to such a degree that brings theopposed member 430 into contact with the fuel cell 110 mounted on themounting frame 400.

FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram of the detailed structure of theradiator fan 310 in the third embodiment. The top drawing of FIG. 9 is asectional view of the radiator fan 310 prior to the release of therotating shaft 320, taken along the axial center Ae of the rotatingshaft 320. The bottom drawing of FIG. 9 is a sectional view of theradiator fan 310 after the release of the rotating shaft 320. In theradiator fan 310 of the third embodiment, when a pressing load Lp actingto press the rotating shaft 320 along the axial center Ae toward thefins 312 relative to the fan casing 315 reaches the preset load Ls, therotating shaft 320 slides along the axial center Ae in the bearing 319toward the fins 312 and is released together with the bearing 319 fromthe fan casing 315, as shown in the bottom drawing of FIG. 9. In thestate that the radiator fan 310 is mounted on the fuel cell vehicle 10,the rotating shaft 320 is released along the axial center Ae in thedirection away from the fuel cell 110 when the pressing load Lp reachesthe preset load Ls.

In the fuel cell vehicle 10 of the third embodiment described above, inthe event that the radiator fan 310 is moved toward the fuel cell 110 bysome impact, the rotating shaft 320 of the radiator fan 310 is receivedby the opposed member 430 of the mounting frame 400 and is then rapidlyreleased in the direction away from the fuel cell 110. The overallradiator fan 310 including the motor 314 is thus released from the fuelcell 110. Such release effectively relieves or prevents a potentialshock that may be transmitted to the fuel cell 110 mounted on themounting frame 400. This structure protects the fuel cell 110 in thecase of a collision of the fuel cell vehicle 10.

D. Fourth Embodiment

A fuel cell vehicle 10 of a fourth embodiment is similar to the fuelcell vehicle 10 of the first embodiment, except the structure of themounting frame 400.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the mounting frame 400 in the fourthembodiment. The illustration of the mounting frame 400 with the fuelcell 110 mounted thereon, along with the rotating shaft 320 of theradiator fan 310 and the dashboard panel 50 in FIG. 10 reveals thepositional relation of the respective components, i.e., the dashboardpanel 50, the fuel cell 110, the rotating shaft 320, and the mountingframe 400. The mounting frame 400 of the fourth embodiment furtherincludes a reinforcement member 450, a dashboard panel opposed member460, and auxiliary members 472 and 474, in addition to the components ofthe mounting frame 400 of the first embodiment. The reinforcement member450 of the mounting frame 400 is extended from the opposed member 430along the axial center Ae of the rotating shaft 320 in the directionaway from the rotating shaft 320 beyond the fuel cell 110 mounted on themounting frame 400. In this embodiment, part of the fuel cell 110 isfastened to the reinforcement member 450. The dashboard panel opposedmember 460 of the mounting frame 400 is located at the other end of thetwo ends of the reinforcement member 450, which is different from oneend with the opposed member 430 located thereon, and has a face opposedto the dashboard panel 50. In this embodiment, the auxiliary members 472and 474 of the mounting frame 400 are bracing members provided on theframe body 410 to intersect each other. The dashboard panel opposedmember 460 is provided at the intersection of the auxiliary members 472and 474.

Referring to FIG. 10, a projection area 58 specified by projecting thedashboard panel opposed member 460 of the mounting frame 400 onto thedashboard panel 50 along the axial center Ae of the rotating shaft 320is apart from mounting locations for mounting the operationcontrol-relevant parts of the fuel cell vehicle 10, i.e., a steeringpart attachment position 51, an accelerator part attachment position 52,and a brake part attachment position 53 provided on the dashboard panel50. A steering for controlling the moving direction of the fuel cellvehicle 10 is installed at the steering part attachment position 51 onthe dashboard panel 50. An accelerator for controlling the accelerationof the fuel cell vehicle 10 is installed at the accelerator partattachment position 52 on the dashboard panel 50. A decelerator forcontrolling the speed reduction of the fuel cell vehicle 10 is installedat the brake part attachment position 53 on the dashboard panel 50. Inthis embodiment, the projection area 58 of the dashboard panel 50 isreinforced to have the higher rigidity than the rigidity of theremaining area of the dashboard panel 50.

Like the first embodiment, the fuel cell vehicle 10 of the fourthembodiment described above effectively relieves or prevents a potentialshock that may be transmitted to the fuel cell 110 mounted on themounting frame 400. The other end of the reinforcement member 450 thatis different from one end with the opposed member 430 is supported bythe dashboard panel 50 via the dashboard panel opposed member 460. Thisstructure further relieves or prevents the potential shock that may betransmitted to the fuel cell 110 mounted on the mounting frame 400. Theprojection area 58 specified by projecting the dashboard panel opposedmember 460 onto the dashboard panel 50 is apart from the steering partattachment position 51, the accelerator part attachment position 52, andthe brake part attachment position 53 on the dashboard panel 50. Thisstructure protects the operation control-relevant parts of the fuel cellvehicle 10, while protecting the fuel cell 110. The projection area 58specified by projecting the dashboard panel opposed member 460 onto thedashboard panel 50 is reinforced to have the higher rigidity than therigidity of the remaining area of the dashboard panel 50. This structureprotects the passenger compartment 14, while protecting the fuel cell110.

E. Fifth Embodiment

A fuel cell vehicle 10 of a fifth embodiment is similar to the fuel cellvehicle 10 of the first embodiment, except the structure of the opposedmember 430 of the mounting frame 400.

FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram of the detailed structure of theopposed member 430 of the mounting frame 400 in the fifth embodiment.The left-side drawing of FIG. 11 is a front view of the opposed member430 seen from the side of the rotating shaft 320, and the right-sidedrawing of FIG. 11 is a sectional view of the opposed member 430 takenon a line of an arrow F11 in the front view. As shown in FIG. 11, theopposed member 430 of the fifth embodiment is a hemispherical member.The opposed member 430 is recessed in a direction away from the rotatingshaft 320. In this embodiment, an opposing face 432 of the opposedmember 430 is formed as a hemisphere recessed from an outer periphery435.

Like the first embodiment, in the fuel cell vehicle 10 of the fifthembodiment described above, the opposed member 430 of the mounting frame400 is recessed in the direction away from the rotating shaft 320 of theradiator fan 310. In the event that the radiator fan 310 is moved towardthe fuel cell 110 by some impact, this structure prevents the rotatingshaft 320 from being deflected from the opposed member 430.

F. Other Aspects

The embodiment discussed above is to be considered in all aspects asillustrative and not restrictive. There may be many modifications,changes, and alterations without departing from the scope or spirit ofthe main characteristics of the present invention. For example, thefirst through the fifth embodiments describe the mounting frame 400 formounting the fuel cell 110 thereon. The principle of the presentinvention is similarly applicable to a mounting frame for mounting thepower circuit 120 in place of the fuel cell 110 or to a mounting framefor mounting the power circuit 120 in addition to the fuel cell 110. Twoor more structures among those of the first through the fifthembodiments may be combined according to the requirements.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A moving body, comprising: a fuel cell unithaving at least one of a fuel cell configured to generate electric powerthrough electrochemical reaction and a power circuit configured togenerate an intended power from the electric power generated by the fuelcell; a radiator configured to release heat from a cooling medium usedfor cooling down the fuel cell unit; a radiator fan having a finconfigured to rotate and thereby produce airflow and a rotating shaftconfigured to transmit a rotational force to the fin, the radiator fanbeing provided to blow the air to the radiator; and a mounting structureconfigured to mount the fuel cell unit on an axially extension of therotating shaft of the radiator fan, wherein the mounting structureincludes an opposed member that has an opposing face to an end of therotating shaft and is located on the axially extension of the rotatingshaft between the fuel cell unit mounted on the mounting structure andthe radiator fan, and the rotating shaft of the radiator fan iscompressed in an axial center direction of the rotating shaft when acompression load acting in the axial center direction reaches a presetload, which is smaller than a specific load of deforming the mountingstructure to such a degree that brings the opposed member into contactwith the fuel cell unit mounted on the mounting structure.
 2. The movingbody in accordance with claim 1, wherein the rotating shaft of theradiator fan includes a hollow first shaft member and a second shaftmember configured to engage coaxially with the first shaft member, andthe second shaft member of the rotating shaft is inserted into the firstshaft member when the compression load reaches the preset load.
 3. Themoving body in accordance with claim 1, wherein the rotating shaft ofthe radiator fan includes a grooved section having a plurality ofgrooves formed along the axial center on a surface of the rotatingshaft, and the grooved section of the rotating shaft splits off alongthe plurality of grooves and buckles, when the compression load reachesthe preset load.
 4. The moving body in accordance with claim 1, whereinthe opposed member of the mounting structure is recessed in a directionaway from the rotating shaft.
 5. The moving body in accordance withclaim 1, wherein the mounting structure includes a reinforcement memberthat is extended from the opposed member along the axial center in adirection away from the rotating shaft beyond the fuel cell unit mountedon the mounting structure.
 6. A moving body, comprising: a fuel cellunit having at least one of a fuel cell configured to generate electricpower through electrochemical reaction and a power circuit configured togenerate an intended power from the electric power generated by the fuelcell; a radiator configured to release heat from a cooling medium usedfor cooling down the fuel cell unit; a radiator fan having a finconfigured to rotate and thereby produce airflow and a rotating shaftconfigured to transmit a rotational force to the fin, the radiator fanbeing provided to blow the air to the radiator; and a mounting structureconfigured to mount the fuel cell unit on an axially extension of therotating shaft of the radiator fan, wherein the mounting structureincludes an opposed member that has an opposing face to an end of therotating shaft and is located on the axially extension of the rotatingshaft between the fuel cell unit mounted on the mounting structure andthe radiator fan, and the rotating shaft of the radiator fan is releasedin a direction away from the fuel cell unit by a preset load, which issmaller than a specific load of deforming the mounting structure to sucha degree that brings the opposed member into contact with the fuel cellunit mounted on the mounting structure.